Addicts get a clean start in no-nonsense drug court

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, March 16, 1995

1995-03-16 04:00:00 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco's new drug court convened in a casual atmosphere but with a no-nonsense approach to habitual illegal drug users.

"Call me Judge Lillian," Municipal Court Judge Lillian Sing urged the first two defendants to come before her Wednesday. "I need honesty from you, and the first thing you must do is admit that you have a problem."

Sing reminded Randy Thomas, 61, addicted to crack cocaine, and Donna Hall, 48, addicted to heroin, that they were being given a fresh start to get clean and that she hoped they wouldn't waste it.

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"You know the system," she told Thomas and Hall, both of whom have previous, nonviolent convictions. "It's like a revolving door; you go out and come back through."

The judge said she hoped that her court would be different and that the results would change.

"This is the court that will listen and give you the time you need," she said. "I have faith in you."

The drug court is San Francisco's first cooperative effort among members of the prosecution, defense and judiciary to target drug addicts for rehabilitation rather than incarceration.

Its objective, according to the judge, is to stop people from abusing drugs so they stop committing crimes to support their habits.

Thomas, who has petty theft convictions, said he understood the opportunity he had been given to escape a life of drugs and lawbreaking.

"You have my cooperation," he promised Sing. "I have yours."

Hall, who has convictions for soliciting and prostitution, wept as she stood before the judge, acknowledging her addiction and pledging to break it.

"I'll do my best," she said.

Both Thomas and Hall were turned over to the Probation Department, which will oversee their treatment, which ranges from residential to outpatient to relapse prevention programs. Regular urine tests are mandatory.

"I have the power to help and to encourage you, as well as to punish you," the judge warned, "so please don't fail me."

The 70 people headed for drug court will all get similar introductions and admonishments. All will give Sing regular progress reports - or face the consequences of their failures.&lt;